Beowulf Film Project Group Assessment

In the Beowulf film project, our group had the Grendel and Beowulf fight scene. We parted the actual scene into four major parts: Grendel entering Herot, Grendel eating the Geat and attacking Beowulf, Beowulf fight scene and Grendel running away. To make this scene more authentic, we decided to film Grendel in the first person to emphasize the fact that he is not described in the book and to show the methods of Grendel’s attacks. The main themes that we tried to emphasize were “heroism” when we switched from first person to third person when the fight began to show Beowulf’s dominance, and “art & Beauty” by showing the chapel floors and stained glass window. Some other techniques that we tried to incorporate for cinematography was reflecting Grendel’s arm in Beowulf’s eye which depicted that we all have a monster inside us trying to come out. Also, we included Mise-en scene in our writing. For example, when Grendel first encounters Beowulf, he is “sleeping” and seems like the Danes. However, as he confronts Grendel, Beowulf goes crazy screaming “How many walls will your head go through?” This emphasizes Mise-en Scene because there is a sudden change in the character which is seen through his speech. 

Our Group performed extremely well in making the scene. Sydney worked very hard and diligently to make the Beowulf costume and get fake blood (even though we didn’t use it). Tim and I made lots of efforts to write the script, as well as, Tim and Kwabena learning their lines. For the actual execution of the film, we all knew the locations to film, where to stand (both actors and cameraman), and what our lines were because we had a successful, organized dress rehearsal. All of the members of the group supported each other to the utmost extent by complementing each other and giving advice. Tim and I sent emails back and forth to make a google doc scheduled time to work on the script which made it easier for both of us to work on the script at the same time. Furthermore, all of us kept in touch with each other to make sure that the our individual responsibilities were going smoothly.